The AFL will immediately act to crack down on the jumper punch, rather than wait until the season's end.

A
day after league boss Gillon McLachlan said any type of punch had no
place in the game, football operations manager Simon Lethlean revealed
the AFL would change tribunal rules mid-season."It's unusual, but we're going to (change the rules). We don't want punching to continue," Lethlean told SEN radio on Tuesday.

"We're unequivocal about that."

The
move has been sparked by a series of jumper punches during Sunday's
North Melbourne-Melbourne clash, while Richmond captain Trent Cotchin
escaped with a fine last week for a jumper punch incident.McLachlan admitted on Monday Cotchin could be considered lucky to not be punished more harshly.

Lethlean indicated suspensions could soon be on the table, saying amendments would be worked out in the next few days."I
think a change is required. Clearly, the deterrent of fines is not
stopping on-field punching in various forms," Lethlean said."That's
up to me now to give the MRP (match review panel) the equipment by
which to be able to classify for either more forceful contact or for
more intent."We'll make that really clear to the players and
clubs and make a change that's enforceable and gives the MRP the right
equipment in their classifications to ensure that sanctions are now
matches (suspension), as compared to fines, if that's going to be the
deterrent required."AAP